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Re: Buddhist Books and other resources

Originally Posted by Seiryu

And I also have a pdf copy of "The Tibetan book of living and dying, and The Tibetan book of the dead" as well as a pdf of Eckhart Tolle's "The power of now"

Hi,

None of those is particularly at the top of my recommended book list. But, any book is worthwhile in some way. The Tibetan Book of the Dead is a wild fantasy (not even particularly "Buddhist", but more part of Tibet's native "Bon" beliefs) but, if its incredible vision of the afterworld is actually so ... well, I guess we'll find out! Kind of like a 'Science Fiction' of its day, I suppose, and one might better spend one's time reading good SF, I feel. Stanis?aw Lem perhaps.

Eckhart Tolle has some very good insights, but sometimes a bit spacey and 'New Age'. Also, without a solid practice of sitting and such to go with it, I feel it is like reading a cookbook without getting into the kitchen and baking.

By the way, here is our little recommended list here for Shikantaza practice.

The Surangama Sutra, by the way, is now well known to be an "apocryphal" Sutra (meaning that it can be clearly shown to be composed in China, not India, and relatively late in Buddhist history. It was even known to be so in Dogen's day, and Dogen was a skeptic about it ... although he sometimes quoted stories from it too). Of course, all "Suttas" and "Sutras" are "apocryphal" in some way! You are right that the Surangama Sutra is another WILD ride cooked up in the vivid imaginations of its authors. Please think of it as more SF, but with some good parts in there.

Re: Buddhist Books and other resources

Originally Posted by Jundo

Eckhart Tolle has some very good insights, but sometimes a bit spacey and 'New Age'. Also, without a solid practice of sitting and such to go with it, I feel it is like reading a cookbook without getting into the kitchen and baking.

Never thought of comparing Eckhart Tolle to a cooking book :shock: I lol'd- But I understand your point. But its nice sometimes to read people who have insights can care to share. Me, I follow a principle that I will listen to anybody share spirituality as long as it makes sense. No sense=me not listening. Doesn't mean I'll agree, or even follow-I'll just listen

I agree with what you have written about the book of the dead and such. I like the Tibetan books since its nice to hear some Buddhist stories about the after life. Much like the ancient Egyptians after life stories and the process you have to go to to get there.

anyway right now I reading its of the Dhammapada and attempting to re-read Genjo koan and the mountains and river sutra of the Shoubogenzo

Re: Buddhist Books and other resources

Hello everyone,

the boring German posting again. Hello Seiryu, thank you for your efforts, but may I ask whether you actually have the copyright clearance that allows you to distribute free PDF copies of Eckhart Tolle's books and the TBOTD (which translation btw., may I ask?)?

Sorry to be so conservative about this, but although I don't work in the publishing sector, my job is also tied to the fact that individuals do not freely distribute the products we are selling.

If a book isn't available anymore and one has no other way of getting it...well....pdf is a great format Otherwise I would strongly advise against promoting file sharing on our site. But that's just me.

(NOTE: this post referred to an earlier version of the original topic post)

I know you are just sharing the dharma, so I have no doubt as to the "purity" of your intentions.